Cristhian Stuani's quickfire first-half brace left Atletico reeling and a red card for Griezmann, booked for dissent immediately after receiving a caution for simulation in the 67th minute, appeared to seal their fate.

But substitute Angel Correa rifled in at the end of a solo run with 12 minutes to play and Jose Gimenez converted Koke's 85th-minute free-kick.

Atleti still needed a superb stoppage-time save by Jan Oblak from Olarenwaju Kayode to escape with a share of the spoils but Simeone was satisfied – given the circumstances – at his post-match news conference.

"At 2-0 down many people thought the game was over, even more so with 10 players," he said.

"We never give up. We got a result which looked impossible.

"Nobody gives you anything here. Newly promoted teams always make it very uncomfortable."